Sunday, May 27, 2007

I'm a magazine-oholic. Well. it's better now than it used to be.This is what I'm reading in bed these days:1. Cloth Paper Scissors (I have a subscription to this one!)I love it for all of the new techniques. Bimonthly2. Quilting arts - I buy it occasionally, again, for the techniques. (sister to Cloth Paper Scissors). Bimonthly3. Somerset Studio - EYE CANDY. There is so much to see. I buy every issue of this one, and many issues of their "sister" publications. Bimonthly4. Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion - you wouldn't think that I am a Mary Engelbreit sort of person, put this publication is so pretty. And I got a cheap subscription....Bimonthly5. LivingEtc - a British home magazine. I've been buying it for about 6 years. It used to be hard to find, but now it's everywhere. Monthly

and my new favourite:Craft -- it's a tiny zine (small format -- but thick!)-- and quite expensive (about $18 here) -- but I loved every single page in Issue 3 -- it's debut in Canada. This issue focused on Japanese cool crafts -- but there were lots of articles on other stuff -- including a "how to make hypertufa pots" and one about the current Blythe doll craze! The articles are quite short -- but there are lots of wesite links -- my copy is full of post it notes! It's put out by the publishers of MAKE ! Quarterly

** check out all of the websites, there are always lots of fun extras!

Friday, May 25, 2007

The last of my spreads for Terry's CJ. It is also my favourite of the bunch. The one that I wished that I could have kept...... The ruffle/ nest at the bottom is totally my addition -- but it looks like it may have belonged there. I'll be using more of those giant eggs in upcoming work!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

This is the spread that I did for Terry's CJ -- May 21-27 -- as you can see. I love those eyes in the lower left corner -- they are 2 separate stamps from Cat's Life Press -- one of my favourite rubber stamp companies. In Toronto you can buy them at Bizzy B's. Tell Barb that I sent you! LOL. The "Can you see me" stamp is also Cat's Life. I'm trying to use my rubber stamps more often. Although they do look really pretty on my shelf..... (the unmounted ones don't look so pretty. You know, if unmounted and mounted cost the same, I'd get mounted)(lots of people wouldn't)I'm off now to finish cleaning out my basement bedroom (my art supply storage room) Lauren is moving home for the summer. I'll keep you all posted about my sanity during the next four months.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

This is another spread in Terry's Calendar Journal. Okay, for the calendar journal round robins, each member picks a calendar journal -- dayplanner kind of thing. Terry's is called "Leonardo da Vinci" Each month, a different member gets to art up the pages. When I joined, I thought that it was about altering the image, and then journaling about our weeks. But no one was doing that!!! They were arting up all of the pages -- and usually covering the art that was there. I wanted to work with the art that was there, like me collaborating with Leonardo. I think that we work well together! LOL. The right side of the spread is a bit stark for me -- I used black tissue paper for the background -- I didn't expect it to be so, well, black! The heart is a little fabric collage. I mail off the calendar to Andi tomorrow -- but I have 4 more spreads to show you throughout the week. STAY TUNED FOR MORE!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Yesterday -- I got NOTHING finished. I was uninspired and felt like a failure. I walked around in circles -- unable to do any art, or clean my apartment (next weekend my parents are coming to visit and my daughter is moving home). Today is another day -- Thank you Queen Victoria, for having a birthday and giving me an extra day this weekend to rejuvenate! Ray and I were supposed to go to the escarpment for the day, but since I screwed yesterday away, I didn't have the time today. Sorry Ray and Andy -- maybe in 2 weekends we'll try again.....

Anyone who knows me knows how much I grumble about these Calendar Journals. It was too big of a commitment for me... 4 spreads per month (this month 5 spreads).Anyway, her's the first spread that I did in Terry's CJ. It's a Leonardo Notebook by Taschen. Very beautiful. I got the naked pages! Since I don't know Terry very well (although we are in a few groups together) I didn't know how far I could go with the human boday -- so I censored it. Not like me at all!

Because I have ADD (well, I must, right?), watching tv is sometimes a chore. First, the preparation: finding enough art work/ sewing/ whatever to do that will last the whole length of the show. Then making the tea, and setting up my workspace. Then pressing Play. I can't "watch" children's movies or animation any more. Because there is too much visual and not enough dialogue, so I'm always lost. Last night I watched Mirrormask, for the manyth time (that's my newly invented word: manyth) . I really need to be strapped to a chair a la Clockwork Orange to watch this movie. The visuals are spectacular! But I did manage to piece together 10 new pins! Here are 3 of them.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

The Dead Guy is the stuffie that I made Andy when he was a little puppy in October. Now that he's a big puppy he has finished off the Dead Guy. (and turned him inside out....) The Dead Guy is escaping my garden so he can rest in peace.

Here are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!1. I procrastinate a bit...

2. Sometimes I wake up with my thumb in my mouth . How embarrassing....

3. I took Fashion Arts at a Arts High School, Fashion Merchandising in College, and then Home Ec (Sewing Specialty) in University. I started off wanting to be a Fashion Designer, then a Display Artist, then a Home Ec Teacher. My final BA was Art History and Criticism. My BEd is in Primary Education. I don't give a hoot about fashion trends any more.... as my daughter points out: "You dress like Grandma"

4. I am a tea drinker. Coffee is yucky. But Coffee Crisps, however, are yummy. Herbal teas are for wussies -- BRING ON THE CAFFEINE!

5. I have to wear special orthotics in my shoes. I am not allowed to wear slippers or sandals (unless they have orthotics built in) . This is new this year and it makes me VERY CRABBY.

6. I don't like crowds. This agoraphobia is getting worse......

7. I have no idea how to change the font size on my blog..... it just randomly changes.......

I don't know 7 people who haven't been tagged lately. If I come across someone, I'll let you all know.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Heather!!!Ray picked out of a bowl from all of the names. But remember, you are all winners because you all have such fantastic mothers. Thank you for sharing. I've read them over many many times..... I think that I'm going to do a give away every month, near the middle of the month. So check back often...... So Heather -- the mother collage will be in the mail to you shortly! See, it's your fault again! Because I'll walk to the post office, and pass my favourite gift shop, and I'll HAVE to go in, and spend buckets of money....... Sorry that I was a day late in the drawing. I got completely engrossed in Survivor last night. I was so sad that Yau Man didn't make it to the final 3, but my next choice was my buddy Earl, so I was happy. We really got to see some good snakes and rats this season -- and some really good outwitting and outplaying. But still, nothing beats that John guy a few seasons back, who faked his grandma's death to get the sympathy vote....... I really wish that I could be on Survivor. I think that I'd do well..... I know that you all think that I'm too nice, but I'm pretty good at playing games....... grrrr....hiss.....p.s. I don't know what happened with the super huge font size, but I can't make it normal, for some reason....

Sunday, May 13, 2007

This is what we made in Kindergarten, so I made one for my Mommy too. Please note the food colouring all over my hands. We also made some butterflies (from coffee filters and food colouring)

This is what Colette made for me on Mother's Day. What a wonderful friend Colette is...Thank you~~ My daughter called me this morning -- she'll be coming over later. So far, I've read magazines in bed, and had lots of tea. Now I'm ready to make some art...... and then Ray and I will go for a big walk on this beautiful day!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Last night was ATC night at Bizzy Bs. The theme was royalty. Can you tell which one was mine? You can sing the Sesame Street song: "One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong, can you tell which thing is not like the others...?" Yes, mine is the one at the top -- it's hard to see in this photo - it's purple and deep red fabric with a crown stamped on german book text (resined paper). the little birds are cut with a quik cuts die that I bought in London (Ontario). I don't have the puncher outer thingy, so I used the one in Bizzy Bs. I'll buy lots more dies there (they didn't have the bird one when I checked a few weeks ago -- but they have it now!) The ATCs pictured here are by:top: memiddle row: Sarah, Susan V, Jolanta, Coribottom row: Diana, Bev, Jackie, JoanneJackie's features a beautiful picture of her taken at her ??? birthday party! She's wearing her crown and sceptre!*we missed you Marissa, June, Myrn, Susan W, Ludgera, Barb and Daniza!

I met Randi Feuerhelm-Watts at ArtFest. She is so energetic and very cool! She has released this set through North Light Books. It's a set of journaling cards -- they have ideas for your visual journals. It also comes with a journal that is "arted up" already, but is waiting ofr your artistic additions. I think that this is a wonderful boxed set -- and I plan to give them to people next Christmas. You can order it at amazon.ca or at chapters.indigo.ca It only costs about $17 on amazon and $15 at indigo.

Monday, May 07, 2007

This is a collaborative charm bracelet from a swap that I was part of. I just received it today from Ruth, who hosted the swap. Isn't it wonderful?? The theme was Mother Nature and the colours were to be blue, green and sepia.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Nancy Cartwright and Sarah Fishburn are coming out with a wonderful book in July. It's called In This House. You can have a sneak preview here. (you get to flip through the book -- it's a cool preview) I already have it on my amazon wish list! I can't wait!

I taught a small group a bit about fabric collage -- using transparencies, transparent fabrics -- a bit on stamping fabrics. I know what to do next time (handouts would be good). But we all made lots of fun collages. I brought my camera, but forgot to use it (I get too caught up in the moment). I know that I was teaching -- but I couldn't help making a few things too.

The first picture was my demo -- it's a 5x5 collage of fabric and fibers and a transparency.These little pieces are pins! They are less than 2" wide or long...

Thank you so much to Kelley -- who let me teach at her house -- and made lunch for us! And thank you to Lesley and Camille for being my "guinea pigs". And all of you are very accomplished sewers and each of you taught me something......

*** I am going to give away the 5x5 collage that I made -- It's called Mother Love. I'm going to draw for it next Sunday on Mother's Day. To enter the give-away, all you have to do is comment on this post, telling me why your mother is [or was :( ] the best!

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

People kept emailing me and asking why I haven't put up any new art. What do you all think, that I'm an art machine????? LOL. Okay, maybe I am. Doesn't that "Blogging Without Obligation" thingy mean anything???? Well, due to peer pressure, I've made 2 new cuffs. These are going to some people who are hosting some swaps........ Aren't they pretty? They actually look even more pretty in real life.

My Dotee dolls and Mothies have arrived! Aren't they wonderful!?? Of course, I've misplaced all of the contact names that go with them..... I'll add them when I find it all.....

Clockwise from the Lola doll (my purple one with the star on the head): Barb B (thanks Barb! this little mothie was an extra goodie that Barb, our host, included); Maria; Rella (faerieluna); Judy (from Scotland); Robin (from Maui) and Ulia (from Gemany) . So multinational! The one from Robin has a little beaded "grass" skirt on -- she is adorable.